GCAT Abstract Reasoning Matrices 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A matrix shows the number of dots inside each shape: row 1 = 1, 3, 5; row 2 = 2, 4, 6; row 3 = 3, 5, ?. What is the missing number of dots?
- 7 (Correct answer)
- 6
- 8
- 9
Correct answer: 7
Each row increments by 2 across columns, and row 3 starts at 3: 3, 5, 7.
Question 2: In an abstract matrix, each row contains three shapes where the total number of sides sums to 12. Row 2: hexagon (6) + triangle (3) + ? = 12. What shape fills the gap?
- Triangle (3 sides) (Correct answer)
- Square (4 sides)
- Pentagon (5 sides)
- Hexagon (6 sides)
Correct answer: Triangle (3 sides)
6 + 3 + ? = 12, so the missing shape needs 3 sides — a triangle.
Question 3: A matrix uses a color-mixing rule: when two colors appear in the same column in adjacent rows, the third row shows their mix. Column has red in row 1 and blue in row 2. What color appears in row 3?
- Purple (Correct answer)
- Green
- Orange
- Red
Correct answer: Purple
Red and blue mixed together produce purple.
Question 4: A matrix has symbols where size is determined by column (small=col 1, medium=col 2, large=col 3) and symbols rotate 90° counterclockwise down each row. A small upward arrow (↑) is in row 1, col 1. What appears in row 2, col 3?
- Large left-pointing arrow (←) (Correct answer)
- Medium upward arrow (↑)
- Large downward arrow (↓)
- Small left-pointing arrow (←)
Correct answer: Large left-pointing arrow (←)
Column 3 means large size; one row down means one 90° counterclockwise rotation: ↑ becomes ←.
Question 5: In a matrix where each cell's value = (row number) × (column number) − 1, what value belongs in row 3, column 3?
- 8 (Correct answer)
- 9
- 7
- 6
Correct answer: 8
3 × 3 − 1 = 9 − 1 = 8.
Question 6: A matrix shows overlapping shapes using a union rule: each cell in column 3 is formed by combining the shapes in columns 1 and 2 of the same row. Row 3: col 1 = square, col 2 = triangle. What is in col 3?
- Square-triangle composite (Correct answer)
- Triangle only
- Square only
- Circle-triangle composite
Correct answer: Square-triangle composite
Column 3 always shows the union of column 1 and column 2 shapes from the same row: square + triangle.
Question 7: A figure sequence nests shapes: Figure 1 = small triangle; Figure 2 = triangle inside a square; Figure 3 = triangle inside a square inside a circle. What does Figure 4 contain?
- Triangle inside square inside circle inside pentagon (Correct answer)
- Square inside circle inside pentagon
- Triangle inside circle inside pentagon
- Pentagon inside circle inside square inside triangle
Correct answer: Triangle inside square inside circle inside pentagon
Each figure wraps all previous figures inside one new outer shape; the fourth outer shape in the sequence is a pentagon.
GCAT Abstract Reasoning Matrices 4
A matrix shows the number of dots inside each shape: row 1 = 1, 3, 5; row 2 = 2, 4, 6; row 3 = 3, 5, ?.
What is the missing number of dots?